In a swift diplomatic counter to India’s global outreach following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has appointed PPP Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to lead its international peace mission, signaling a strategic move to shape global perception amid escalating regional tensions.
This development comes just hours after India’s Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs unveiled a seven-member all-party delegation tasked with briefing key international partners about the objectives and implications of Operation Sindoor. The Indian delegation includes prominent figures such as:
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Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP) — heading outreach to the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia
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Supriya Sule (NCP MP) — leading engagements with Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa
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Kanimozhi (DMK), Sanjay Jha (JDU), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda (BJP), and Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena) — covering other key global capitals
This broad-based team aims to present a unified Indian position to the global community, representing both ruling and opposition parties.
In response, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose political stature and prior diplomatic experience as foreign minister make him a high-profile face for Islamabad’s campaign. Bilawal confirmed his appointment on X, writing:
“I was contacted earlier today by Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif], who requested that I lead a delegation to present Pakistan’s case for peace on the international stage. I am honoured to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times.”
Bilawal will lead a high-level committee that includes:
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Khurram Dastgir Khan (former Defence Minister)
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Hina Rabbani Khar (former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs)
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Jalil Abbas Jilani (former Foreign Secretary)
According to The News International, this delegation’s mandate is to advocate for regional peace and stability, positioning Pakistan as a responsible stakeholder amid rising tensions. However, analysts interpret this move as a counter-diplomatic offensive, aimed at challenging India’s narrative and garnering international support in forums where geopolitical alignments are still fluid.
The emergence of duelling diplomatic missions underscores how Operation Sindoor has escalated not only military and regional dynamics but also global strategic messaging. As both India and Pakistan dispatch emissaries to key capitals, a new phase of international opinion-building and soft power maneuvering appears to be underway.
